The story, by Miles Goslett, calls into question the statement by the former BBC director-general Mark Thompson that he was unaware of the Newsnight investigation into child abuse by Jimmy Savile.

It also suggests that there was evidence about the incident that the BBC has not yet published and, in so doing, it appears to undermine Pollard's inquiry report.

The Sunday Times, which ran the article on page 15, may also have somewhat underplayed the story, given its potential significance.

It claims that lawyers acting for Helen Boaden, then the head of news, told the Pollard inquiry that she had informed Thompson in a telephone call in December 2011 about the nature of the accusations against Savile.

Thompson, now chief executive of the New York Times, has always insisted he "never heard any allegations" about Savile during his eight years at the top of the corporation.

In a telling sentence, Goslett writes:

Boaden's new evidence, which did not appear in the 3,000 pages of transcripts and other evidence released by the BBC last week, suggests Thompson did know about the brewing scandal nine months before he left the BBC."

Now, I'm not in a position to know about this matter. But I do think it requires further investigation. I note from the Sunday Times that "neither Thompson nor Boaden responded to repeated requests for comment".

It means, however, that they haven't denied Goslett's amazing revelation. I think it significant enough to warrant both to respond asap.